DEBATE - THE LANGUAGE OF ARGUMENT
Debate / Discussion. The Language of Argument.
Essay / Composition on ONE of the following:
Submission Date: Monday 16 November.
Facebook, Bebo and the social networking sites are killing real friendship
Schools, as they exist at present, have outlived their usefulness
Young people today are a spoiled generation
Those who really care about young people, or about real education, would
abolish State Examinations
This is still a great country to live in.
The above are MOTIONS for debate. You must either PROPOSE (agree with) or OPPOSE (disagree with) the motion.
You must use REASON not EMOTION. (avoid use of violent or emotive language: “That’s stupid” “People who say that are just idiots” etc. etc.)
You must SUPPORT your points with EVIDENCE. This is what makes argument different from prejudice, or vague grumbling, or a fight, or ASSERTION (this is so because I say it is so).
You may wish to use Personal Evidence, Anecdotal Evidence, Factual Evidence.
Research your topic. Have some facts and statistics, as well as personal and anecdotal evidence.
Begin by GREETING “Chairperson, fellow students…. I hope to convince you that….I propose the motion…..”
If you wish, you may want to DEFINE YOUR TERMS. “What I mean by friendship is….”
Ask questions of, and ENGAGE with your audience: “Hands up those of you who….How many of you here today have ever….?” Etc.
Make one clear point at a time.
Finish by summing up. Then leave your audience with “I hope, fellow students, that I have convinced you that….”. Thank them